Monday, May 16, 2011

Mandela votes early at his home

Nelson Mandela casting his voteNelson Mandela's grand-daughter, Ndileka (c) helped him cast his vote
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Former President Nelson Mandela has voted at home in South Africa's local elections, two days early, like others unable to reach a polling station.

His foundation released the first photographs of the 92-year-old hero of the fight against white minority rule since he was hospitalised in January.

He was accompanied by his wife, daughter and granddaughter.

He has not appeared at a public engagement since the closing ceremony of the football World Cup in July 2010.

Correspondents say he has appeared increasingly frail on his infrequent public appearances since retiring from public life in 2004.

Mr Mandela, known to South Africans by his clan name Madiba, was imprisoned for 27 years by the apartheid government.

The Nobel Peace Prize winner was released from jail in 1990 and went on to lead the African National Congress to a landslide victory in 1994 - the first time South Africa's black majority was allowed to vote.

He stood down as president in 1999 but the ANC retains a massive majority in parliament.

This article is from the BBC News website. � British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-africa-13418225

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